A Man Like Morgan Kane (19 page)

Bethanytightened her hold on the mustard bottle. "If she comes home today, in tears, I don't—"

"She won't come home in tears. I guarantee it. You've raised a strong, self-confident girl. She went to school today prepared for whatever happens. My money's on Anne Marie. Something tells me that she's capable of giving as good as she gets."

"Oh, God, I hope so."

Bethanyplaced the chicken and mustard on the table, then opened the bread box and removed a loaf of whole wheat.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Fixing lunch." She opened the loaf of bread.

"Bethany, it's onlyten o'clock."

She slung the loaf of bread across the room. Slices scattered on the floor. "Dammit! I don't even know what I'm doing anymore."

Caution be damned. He had to touch her! Chipping her shoulders, Morgan kneaded softly. "You're doing fine. It's only normal that you'd be nervous and scared."

Bethanyleaned her back against his chest, momentarily giving in to her need for comfort. Seeking comfort from Morgan could be dangerous. But right now, she didn't care. She needed something—someone—to hold on to and keep her from drowning in a sea of fear and self-doubt.

Morgan turned her in his arms. She looked up into his eyes and knew she was lost. He offered her everything. In his arms she could find the comfort she wanted, the protection she needed, the temporary peace her mind longed for and the fulfillment her body craved. With trembling fingers, she reached up and touched his cheek.

"Morgan?"

As if on cue, his cellular phone rang. Cursing under his breath, he eased one arm aroundBethany's waist, then reached inside his jacket pocket and removed his phone.

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Flipping it open, he held the telephone to his ear. "I'm here."

Bethanyheld her breath as she watched Morgan's face for any sign of emotion. She saw none.

"Yes. Yes," he said. "No, you're right. That gives us another motive. I'll tellBethany, but she's not going to like it."

"What is it?" She tugged on Morgan's sleeve. "What am I not going to like?"

"We still don't have any proof," Morgan said into the phone. "Keep digging. I don't want anything overlooked." He flipped the phone closed and returned it to his pocket.

"Who was that? What am I not going to like?"

"That was Dane Carmichael He's uncovered some information on Seth Renfrew."

"What sort of information?"Bethany's heartbeat drummed in her ears.

"Did you know that Seth hada sister who committed suicidetwelve years ago?"

"We knew he had a sister who was dead, but—"

"Renfrew's sister was involved with Jimmy Farraday. When she caught him with another woman, she went home and took an overdose of sleeping pills. Renfrew was the one who found her body and the suicide note addressed to Farraday."

"Oh,poor Seth."Bethanygasped as she suddenly realizedthe implications. "This information gives Seth another motive for killing Jimmy, doesn't it?"

"We need to talk to Renfrew," Morgan said. "I want to look the man straight in the eye and have him deny that he killed Farraday."

* * *

They tracked Seth down at the Birmingham Country Club where he was having lunch with Eileen.

Bethanydreaded theconfrontation, but she knew it was necessary. She didn't believe that Seth had killed Jimmy, but she did think it odd that he had never told her about his sister's suicide or her involvement with Jimmy. Why had he kept such an important part of his past a secret?

"Bethany, darling." Eileen, dressed appropriately for awidow in a stunning black silk dress, grasped her daughter's hand. "What are y'all doing here?"

Ever theSouthern gentleman, Seth stood. "Won't you andMr. Kane join us for lunch?"

"Yes, thank you."Bethanyglanced over her shoulder, seeking Morgan's approval.

Morgan assisted her into a chair and then seated himself across from Seth. A waiter arrived instantly and Bethanyhurriedly ordered two iced teas and salads, all the while watchingwhile Morgan carefully scrutinized Seth. Did he think he could detect signs of innocence or guilt just by examining Seth?

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"This is my first day out since Jimmy's funeral," Eileen said. "Seth insisted that there was no reason for me to stay confined to the house."

"Her friends are here at the club," Seth said. "They all love her and have been so happy to see her. No one expects her to hide away."

"I suppose no one has been rude enough to ask if you think your daughter killed your husband." Lifting her white napkin,Bethanyshook the starched linen apart and draped it across her lap.

"None of our friends think you killed Jimmy." Eileen curled her jeweled fingers aroundBethany's wrist.

"Something's wrong, isn't it? Y'all didn't come here just to have lunch with us. What is it? What's happened?"

"Nothing has happened, Mother."Bethanytwisted her arm until she was able to clasp her mother's hand in hers. "Morgan has just discovered some information and he needs to ask Seth a few questions."

"Ask Seth questions about what?" Snapping her head around, Eileen glared at Morgan. "Surely Seth isn't under suspicion. He is no more capable of murder than I am."

Silence dominated the table. The faint clinking of silverware and china blended with the muted conversations of the other patrons.Bethanytook a deep breath. Seth's cheeks flushed. Eileen's mouth opened in a silent gasp. Morgan remained totally unmoved, his face a blank.

"Oh, I see." Eileen sat up ramrod straight in the chair. "So I'm a suspect, too."

"No, Mother, of course you and Seth aren't suspects. I know that neither of you—"

"That's not quite true," Morgan interrupted. "Bethanydoesn't believe either of you killed Jimmy, but as far as I'm concerned anyone with motive and opportunity is a suspect.And unfortunately, that includes both of you."

Bethanysqueezed her mother's hand tightly. Eileen jerked her hand out ofBethany's. "I did not kill Jimmy," Eileen whispered as she glanced around to see if anyone overheard their conversation. "Did I wish him dead? Yes. Often. But as odd as it may seem to you, I loved Jimmy as much as I hated him.

Every time he embarrassed me, every time he disappointed me, every time he infuriated me with his conduct, he promised he'd change, that it would never happen again. And I wanted so desperately to believe him."

"You stayed with Jimmy because, despite everything, you still loved him?"Bethanyasked, unable to understand how her mother could have continued loving such a worthless piece of trash.

"Yes, that was one of the reasons," Eileen said.

"What were the other reasons?" Morgan asked.

"Only one other reason." Eileenstared defiantly, proudly atMorgan. "James. I remained married to Jimmy for James's sake. That poor child needed me. He still does. I knew that if I divorced Jimmy and tried to gain custody of James, I would have to air all our dirty laundry in public."

"Oh, Mother."Bethanyfelt a mixture of sympathy and aggravation. Eileen had been a loving and indulgent parent, but apoor role model. Eileen Dow Farraday had always lived her life with her social position
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foremost in her mind. Slightly scatterbrained and often impulsive, she'd made her share of mistakes, but her greatest concern had never been to correct those mistakes, only to hide them from the world.

Morgan focused his attention on Seth Renfrew. "Did you kill Jimmy Farraday?"

Seth's pink flushed cheeks darkened. He dampened his lips with his tongue, then wiped his cupped hand across his mouth.

"I did have the opportunity. I was at WHNB at the time Jimmy was shot. But I wasn't there to see him.

I'd dropped some ads by for an upcoming charity event of which I'm publicitychairman."

"I'm already aware of your reason for being at WHNB," Morgan said. "But I think it's a rather odd coincidence that you chose thatday and that time to stop by WHNB."

"Seth may have had the opportunity to kill Jimmy,"Bethanysaid, "but I know he would never let me take the blame for a crime he had committed."

Releasing an indrawn breath, Seth smiled weakly atBethany. "Thank you, my dear, for saying that,for believing that I didn'tkill Jimmy."

"Bethanymay believe you," Morgan said. "But I'd like for you to convince me. If I were in your shoes, with two strong motives for killing Farraday, I'd be sweating."

"What can I say or do to convince you, Mr. Kane?"

"Explain why you never told anyone about your sister Lynda's death?"

"How did you…" Clasping his shaky hands, Seth stared down at his lap. "Of course, you would thoroughly investigate anyone you suspected."

"What's this about Lynda Renfrew?" Eileen asked. "Surely, you're not referring to her—" Eileen lowered her voice to amere whisper "—suicide, are you? Seth told me all about Lyndabefore I married Jimmy.

He tried to warnme against marryingthat womanizing jerk. But I didn't listen to him, and I've paid dearly for the past ten years."

"Mother, are you saying that you've known all these years that Seth's sister committed suicide because of Jimmy Farraday?"

"Yes, of course, I've known. Seth and I have no secrets from each other." Eileen's lips quivered ever so slightly, then she smiled at her old friend. "I know that Seth loves me, that he's always loved me."

"I hated Jimmy Farraday more than any man on earth," Seth admitted. "He destroyed my sister and he made Eileen's life a living hell. But if my love for Eileen and my need to avenge my sister's death are my motives for murdering Jimmy, why would I have waited so long? Why didn't I kill Jimmy years ago?"

"That's exactly what I told him."Bethanyglared at Morgan, a self-satisfied expression on her face.

"I don't know," Morgan said. "Perhaps the right opportunity never came along. Or maybe you'd finally taken all you could bear. You knew Farraday had come on to Anne Marie, didn't you?"

"Oh, my God!" Eileen gasped loud enough that her outburst gained attention from people at the two
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nearest tables.

"Dammit, Morgan, Seth knew, but Mother didn't!"Bethanytold him.

"It's all right," Eileen said. "I shouldn't be surprised, should I?" Reaching out, she graspedBethany's hand.

"You told me years ago that Jimmy tried to … to rape you, and I wouldn't let myself believe you. I chose to believe his explanation instead." Eileen turned to Morgan. "I didn't kill Jimmy, but I wish I had. I wish I'd had the courage to rid the world of the monster I was married to."

"I don't think Mr. Kane really suspects you, Eileen," Seth said. "He didn't come here to question you."

Bethanylooked pleadingly at her business partner. "For heaven's sake, Seth, tell him you didn't kill Jimmy."

"I could say that I didn't shoot Jimmy, but there's no way you or Mr. Kane would know whether or not I was lying. I could have killed him. I did have opportunity and motive. And I could be biding my time, waiting to see if you go to trial and then I could wait even longer to see if you are convicted before I confess."

"Stop it! I know you didn't kill Jimmy, no matter what Morgan believes. You care too much for me and Anne Marie to ever put me through this torment!"Bethanyjumped up from her chair just as the waiter served her salad. When she and the waiter collided, the tray he carried flipped over, dumping the tea glasses to the floor. Bits and pieces of salad flew in every direction as the bowls hurled through the air.

"I'm sorry,"Bethanysaid as she brushed pieces of lettuce and tomato off her yellow silk blouse. With tears blurring her vision, she shoved past the waiter.

Morgan called after her, and when she didn't pause in her escape, he shoved back his chair and stood.

"My accusations are nothing personal," he told Seth and Eileen. "I'm just doing what I've been hired to do and that's find out who really killed Farraday. I can't afford not to follow through on every possible lead."

Before either Seth or Eileen could reply, Morgan rushed afterBethany. He caught up with her outside.

The damp residue of a scattered shower glimmered on the grass and a line mist of steam rose off the pavement. Sunshine broke through the lingering cloud cover, temporarily brightening the sky and spreading a warm radiance over the earth. When Morgan clutchedBethany's elbow, she spun away from him and walked off. He cursed under his breath, then headed after her. Every time he tried to touch her, she avoided his grasp.

"Leave me alone! Go back toAtlanta. Have your agency send me another bodyguard."

He followed along beside her as she trekked toward her Mercedes S600. Sunlight reflected off the windshield of the white coupe, hittingBethanyin the eye. Squinting, she glanced away and rummaged in her purse for the car keys.

"You're being irrational." Morgan grabbed the keys out of her hand, manacled her wrist and dragged her over to the car.

"Let go of me!" When she tried to free herself, he tightened his hold. Struggling against his superior strength, she soon tired and stopped fighting him. "Dammit, why did you have to do that to Seth?"

Morgan dragged her around the hood of the car, unlocked the door and deposited her in the passenger
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seat. "I'm trying to unearth the truth and sometimes that can't be done without stepping on some toes, without hurting feelings."

Bethanyglared at Morgan, her jaw tight with barely suppressed rage. "The truth? The truth is that Seth Renfrew did not kill Jimmy!"

"Just because you want to believe he's innocent doesn't make it true."

Morgan closed the door, rushed around to the driver's side and got in, then sat there clutching the keys in his hand. "Renfrew never actually denied that he killed Farraday, did he?"